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It was a fun, but challenging week at Camp Shiloh in Wyoming, teaching 45 kids, ages 6-16, from extremely diverse backgrounds. Some of the kids were from solid Christian homes and have been at camp every summer for many years. Others were there for the first time and came from extremely difficult home situations. In addition there are cultural differences, as about ¼ of the kids are Native Americans from a nearby reservation.

The knowledge level and spiritual understanding of the kids was so varied. Some were strong believers in Jesus – others didn’t even know who He is. Teaching such a diverse group can be a real challenge, but we believe each child came by God’s sovereignty and design. Each one is fearfully and wonderfully made and needs to know the truth of Creation and the wonderful love of the Lord in salvation.

Camp Shiloh is an interdenominational camp held at Circle J ranch near Ten Sleep, WY, at the base of the beautiful Big Horn Mountains. The camp sits in a magnificent canyon, and has an interesting history as a cattle ranch, apple orchard, and now a Christian camp and retreat center. Our meetings were held in a quaint historic chapel, and we enjoyed watching a flock of sheep pastured near our campsite, a cattle-drive down the main highway one morning, and the beautiful rushing river that ran through the camp. The only down-side was the heat during the day and the gale-force winds that threatened to blow us away one night (quite an experience in our little roof-top tent!)

Creation ministry on the road sometimes has other interesting “challenges.” One night, I had an unexpected surprise as I made a mid-night journey across the camp to the necessary facilities. As I rounded the corner to the bathhouse, I was royally doused by a sprinkler, right by the door of the ladies’ bathhouse! I managed to get inside and do my business, but managed to get doused again as I tried to dodge the sprinkler on my way out. I’m glad it was a warm night. It really was pretty funny, and now I know how they keep the grass so beautifully green in this dry canyon country!

We pray that God will water the seeds planted in the hearts of kids that week and touch the life of each child at their level of need. May the lessons learned through the teachings, songs, memory verses, crafts, games, cabin times, and relationships take root and grow strong. What a privilege and blessing it is to teach the truth of Creation, the reliability of the Word, and the wonderful gift of salvation in Jesus!

Mary Jo Nutting

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events pageor ourdonate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

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After working so hard teaching and writing, it’s always good to know that your work is having an impact on the lives of others, and that they are taking the material learned from you and passing it on to others. Recently we received an encouraging testimony from a woman in Montana. She wrote:

Quite a few years ago [my husband] and I were at a marriage retreat in Colorado – over by Horn Creek at Hermit Basin. [We] were edified by the Creation Series. We have since purchased a video series to share with others and have sent one to a friend.

This summer my three younger kids and I are traveling across the states and we made a “re-purposed,” tall, card-board animal book into the creation story – 7 days – and then your copy of the plan of salvation. We have ministered to almost 100 people so far with the Creation story in two weeks – we have 6 weeks left on our journey. One girl came to Christ, one young man rededicated his life, Christians have had answers to where the dinosaurs fit in. The body of Christ has been so excited that we have shared the story with them.

Thank you for sharing the truth. [My husband] and I do try to financially support you guys as often as possible. This fall we will be starting small groups in our home showing your DVD series to families. Thank you and bless you!

M.D., Montana (slightly modified)

This family has stepped out in faith and boldness, and God is blessing the endeavor. How encouraging to all of us at AOI! We wish everybody that hears the message of Creation and the Gospel would be so bold and creative. How about praying and asking Him to show you ways you can share with others. AOI’s DVD series would be a great place to start! Call AOI at 800-377-1923 to order a set or check out our website to get even more information, and order it there.

“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men [and women], who will be able to teach others also.” (II Timothy 2:2)

Mary Jo Nutting

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events pageor ourdonate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

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Hello AOI Followers, we are new on staff at AOI and we wanted to introduce ourselves in our first blog post. We are Brian and Aimee Mariani and here are our brief testimonies of how God has worked in our lives in exciting ways and brought us to this position at AOI! That is actually a picture of us jumping into service with AOI at a Creation Boot Camp at Camp Redcloud during the last week of June.

Brian: Hey guys, first off, I grew up in Bloomington, Illinois and was raised in a close family, a good church body, and in public schools. I was always interested in math and science and first learned of Creation science right before high school. I always just trusted the Bible at face value, since it is God’s word. So as a freshman and in biology class, I never knew how to combat the arguments of evolution. God led me to two different secular universities as I studied for a physics teaching degree all the while struggling to explain my faith and the evidence to my peers. It saddened me to see very intelligent people deceived by the claims of evolution.

God then led me to Jackson Hole Bible College, which strengthened my creation worldview and I had the opportunity to research and help write The Genius of Ancient Man with the research team there. This is where Aimee and I met and got to know each other.

From there I spent two years teaching science at a small Christian school, where I was blessed to be able to teach them the evidence, the arguments, and the philosophies as we compared creation and evolution. I was able to show my students how the Bible is consistent, that God did create everything in six days, and that there is evidence to back that up. I was also able to show the pervasiveness of evolution, despite there being very little evidence to support the theory and a lot of things that could simply discredit the theory.

Aimee: I grew up in northern California in a strong Christian home. My seven younger siblings and I were all homeschooled through high school, which was a huge blessing. This not only knit a tight bond of friendship within our family, but also helped to give us a strong foundation and belief in Biblical creation. My parents both have a love for science and encouraged us all to learn and marvel at God’s creation, and my dad, a mechanical engineer, loved to explain scientific concepts to us in an interesting and understandable way.

After high school, God used my love for history to lead me to a position at Rock-N-Water, a Christian camp in California. Over the years I ended up being a program director there. This was a huge part of my practical education, where I learned a lot about working with people, and grew in passion to share my love for seeing God’s glory in His creation.

God then used this passion to lead me to Jackson Hole Bible College. I learned a lot, and it grew and strengthened my faith, but I wasn’t sure what to do with it after graduation. As I neared the end of my year there, it was actually during the first day of geology class with Dave and Mary Jo Nutting that I felt a strong calling to some kind of creation ministry… someday… somehow. As time went on, I started to think that perhaps what I was really called to was to help my husband in creation ministry, supporting and assisting him in whatever ways I could. When Brian and I got engaged almost exactly one year later, I could see God’s hand confirming that those dreams really were part of His plan.

We got to know the Nuttings through the Grand Canyon geology field trip at Jackson Hole Bible College, and we both kept in touch with them. So we were delighted to see God lead us to take up this position with AOI. We have always wanted to teach others about God through His word, His creation, and science, so we believe that this opportunity with AOI is a great fit.

We will be busy this first month, setting up our house, raising support, developing more and better creation presentations, and the many things that we need to do to build up our ministry here. We hope to be able to travel and do presentations at churches or groups all across the country (or beyond) as well, so we would love to meet you and let us know if we can come speak at your church or group. We will continue to leave more blogs with more details for you all! We would appreciate your prayers, so thanks and May God Bless You!

Brian and Aimee Mariani

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events pageor ourdonate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

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After a 3 hour drive through a hot desert and up a narrow winding mountain road, we arrived at a campground in the Manti-LaSalle National Forest, near Moab, Utah. We were to meet a youth group that was from the Salt Lake City area. We circled around the campground looking for the group, but were unable to find them, so we stopped at the campground host station to see if they had checked in yet.

The host was a very friendly man, who informed us that, yes the group was there, but they were on a hike at that time. He was very helpful, even walking us over to show us their camping spots.

On the short walk, we told him that we were there to teach the youth group. Interested, he asked, “In one sentence, tell me what you will be teaching?”

My wife Marilyn responded, “We are here to teach that God made everything and that it did not happen by evolution.”

His response … “Guess I’m going to have to have a little more information than one sentence!”

As I talked with him a short while, I discovered he was a retired 8th grade school teacher (having taught evolution for many years) now traveling around the country “in search of truth.” I told him that I had also at one time been in search of truth and had found that truth was not in evolution. As a scientist (geologist), I had found major problems with evolution that I could not resolve. What I had discovered was evidence of a Creator.

It was at that point the he quickly interjected that he had other campground duties, and so began a departure. As he left, I invited him to join us that evening as we shared some of those evidences with the youth group. He said it sounded interesting and he would try.

Surprisingly, he did show up that evening for a very short time, far enough away that he could hear some of my talk, but not close enough for interaction. Amusingly, right at the edge of our group was a doe that seemed to be very curious about what I was teaching. It was there far longer than the gentleman!

When the program was over we had to pick up the equipment and take shelter because of rain and wind, and later head back down the mountain, so we were not able to talk to the man again. I am pretty sure he did not hear enough to convince him of a Creator. However, even though it might have been tiny, a seed was planted. Hopefully, that seed of truth might grow in him and he will discover the truth … the truth of Jesus Christ. Over 23 years ago, I was also a staunch evolutionist. A seed was planted and it did grow! Today I am a follower of Jesus, so if it can happen to me, then it can happen to this gentleman as well.

Lanny Johnson

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events pageor ourdonate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

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The photo is of the Shafer Bell Tower at Ball state University. At this moment, some radical atheists are hoping that any sound that might be coming out of it might be a toll on academic freedom that challenges evolutionary dogma. World Magazine reported June 18th that one of Ball State’s untenured faculty members, Assistant Professor Dr. Eric Hedin, “crossed a line when he encouraged classroom discussion that included multiple views of life’s origins.”

That got some of the atheists mad who only want to hear atheism taught in the universities. The Freedom From Religion Foundation jumped on a rumor that Dr. Hedin was “proselytizing.” Evidently that stems from their idea that if you challenge atheistic evolution by suggesting intelligent design, you are promoting a different religion other than their revered atheism. In other words’ “How dare you challenge the “God of Atheism and Evolution.”

This is a direct assault on academic freedom. I also consider it an assault on student’s minds to think that they need to be protected from other viewpoints, even if that viewpoint opens the door to a religious possibility. A teacher’s role is to help students think. From reading all the positive ratings the students have given this professor, he is apparently doing a great job.

In a letter to the editor at News-Sentinel.com, Dr. Arnold Burron wrote, “As a graduate of Ball State University, and as a professor of education at the University of Northern Colorado for almost three decades, I urge the Ball State community to vigorously support professor Hedin. It is time to stop stifling academic inquiry by acquiescing to the cacophonous complaining of special interest groups.”

He also wrote, “Shutting down one’s opponents by clamor, rather than by challenging them in intellectual discourse, is a threat not only to achieving quality education, but also to maintaining a free nation.”

I can certainly identify with this discourse. While teaching at what is now called Colorado Mesa University, I was warned by my department chairman that my challenge to evolutionary dogma was a “touchy subject” and that I “had better drop it.” Even my outside speaking on the topic got too much for them. Well, . . . today, I am a full-time speaker on the subject of origins. As this was in the mid-eighties, you can see that this assault on academic freedom has been going on for quite some time.

Dr. Hedin, I encourage you to hang in there and keep up the good work! Students need teachers like you! I hope university instructors across this nation will get behind you in this and will also help you lead the charge against this type of censorship by special interest and outspoken atheist groups.

Dave Nutting, Director

Alpha Omega Institute

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events pageor ourdonate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

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So many times, Mary Jo & I run into high school or university students who had attended church but now have rejected Christianity and the Bible because of evolutionary teaching. Some have become quite weakened in their faith and have begun to embrace evolution, even though they may not have dumped their faith altogether (yet). In the last couple of years, we have talked to several students who were on the verge of doing just that.

Not too long ago, we heard from someone who attended one of our family camps years ago, who claims it was the creation teaching at the camp that turned them around. Another individual said that the creation teaching they heard us give, almost 20 years ago, is what got them through college with their faith intact.

Just recently, a girl told me that evolution, as it was so pointedly presented in her high school this year, made so much sense to her. However, after hearing us show the problems with standard “proofs” of evolution, the lights came on for her. She said that she has now become a committed creationist for life! Praise God. We sure like to hear that.

If you think that evolution is a fact, make sure you come to one of our camps or seminars. If you can’t do that, at least read the portion of our website that talks about what the evidence actually shows. You can find it at: What’s the Evidence?

Please pass that link on to others as it can make a lot of difference to many students.

Dave Nutting

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events pageor ourdonate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

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Yep, here we go again. Mary Jo & I are in Texas for a homeschool conference. Yesterday morning, we were in Waco, Texas, heading for San Antonio. Can you believe it, a big tornado was hitting just north of us. One system was heading for Waco. A thunderstorm nearby had dropped hail ice balls the size of a soft ball — that is 4 inches in diameter. The picture is what I snapped off of the TV report.

Sure hope these storms don’t hit any closer! Reminds me of Revelations 16:21 in the Bible, where it warns of huge hail stones of about 100 pounds each coming down from heaven! Softball size hail is big enough, but can you imagine hail stones 50 times larger?

So why did I say, “Here we go again”? Well dodging tornadoes is what we did a couple of years ago when we were driving from San Antonio, Texas, to Missouri. We dodged tornadoes at Austin, Texas, through Oklahoma and managed to get through Joplin just two hours before the big tornado demolished much of that city. (See our blog called “Ducking the Tornadoes.”)

It looks like strong storms will be with us for the next several days, so we don’t know what to expect. Please keep us in prayer for a successful conference in San Antonio, as well as the weather.

Dave & Mary Jo Nutting

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events pageor ourdonate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

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As I reflected on my last speaking trip to California, a couple of thoughts stood out in my mind.

A pastor from Eureka, CA, asked if I did debates or if I was, instead, just interested in teaching on a university campus. I informed him that I was not interested in debates, but I was interested in teaching and dialoging about scientific ideas.

The primary reason I hate debates is that people who disagree with my ideas, on the origin of life and the universe, are not my enemies. I love those people and so does God. God actually loves them so much that He died for their sins, so He could have a close relationship with them. I would sooner be seen as a fool, so they can have a close relationship with the God of creation, than win any debate. Debates have the atmosphere of a battle, or war. I am not at war with flesh and blood. My enemy is much more powerful and resides in a different realm. I see people who reject God’s Word and His plan of salvation as victims of a masterful deception. This concept does not come from my own thoughts, but from the Word of God.

I spoke at Humboldt State University, in Arcata, CA, this last trip. We had a good turnout, but only people favorable to my ideas seemed to have attended. This was in a way sad. Please do not get me wrong, I was very glad they attended, but I knew where most of them will spend eternity (in heaven).

It was very good to encourage and edify the saints, but what about all those who have rejected God and His salvation? Where will they spend eternity? This I felt was the matter at hand. Evolution is the number one reason why people reject God’s love. My teaching at the university was not so much a discussion about evolution and creation, but more about where we will spend eternity. What was sad is that those who would disagree with me did not even attend, so they could learn about my arguments for Genesis and creation, and be able to dialog about creation/evolution and the scientific concepts in Genesis. They don’t seem to be concerned about their eternal state. I pray for these people and I hope you do to.

Rich Stepanek

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our website events pageor ourdonate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

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Once again, I’m with another group of energetic and fun-loving Bible college students from Jackson, Wyoming, on a geology field trip for the better part of 2 weeks (24 students and 15 staff). Some of these high energy students (usually the guys) like to climb on anything they find, and showoff how close they can get to the edge.

As you can see from the picture below, that could be a deadly mistake. Sandstone tends to be undercut. If one would walk out to the edge without knowing this, the already cracked slab and the unfortunate person on it would likely fall over 1000 feet straight down to their death below. So, one of the very first things I warn those students before they have the opportunity to try their wings is, “WATCH OUT and don’t get close to the edge!”

Today, a woman who happened to overhear my talks on the rim told me she wouldn’t have enough nerve to take college students to places like this. Since she was a college professor, she knows the nature of the breed.

We not only warn and point out hazards, but also do a lot of praying and careful watching. This group is doing great and is taking the warning seriously. For that, we as the staff are very thankful. So please pray with us for safety on this trip, and also for the educational and spiritual results as these students see first-hand evidence for the Flood of Noah’s day.

Dave Nutting

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our websiteevents pageor ourdonate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.

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Two of the locations where Mary Jo & I had opportunity to speak while in Mexico last month were at drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers. Both of these facilities were “lock up” facilities, meaning that the people in there were not allowed to leave. These centers were last chance facilities in lieu of actually being put in prison.

In other words, we had a captive audience for the creation and Gospel message. Of course, while we were there, we were also locked in close quarters with them. As some of them looked like pretty rough dudes, we were very happy that the crowd was quite attentive and responded quite well to what we were saying. There was also quite a mixed group from two 10-12 year old boys, several young ladies, and men up to at least 50 years old.

The message we gave was definitely a creation verses evolution message (What’s the Evidence?). It was coupled with the fact that they are not the products of accidents. Instead they are uniquely created in the image of God. Some of these men and women have been told that, or at least have thought, they are worthless. However, they responded well to knowing that they are important to God since they were created by Him. Questions after the presentation continued for quite some time afterwards. One of the men, who was actually originally from California, told me that the presentation was so very important. He said that what I had presented “blew my mind.” The last time I heard that exact phrase used by a participant was many years ago. It was from a “former” atheist who had heard Mary Jo & I speak 7 years prior. The former atheist, who had become a deacon in his church, asked if we knew what we were doing. He then said, “You guys are running around the country blowing people’s minds. (PTL! And Lord, allow us to keep doing that!)

We certainly hope and pray that these men and women who were at these rehabilitation centers, find this material, and a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ to be a real spiritual “mind-blowing experience” and that they can be set free from their addictions which physically “blow their minds.”

Dave Nutting

If you would like to see if an AOI seminar is right for you, or you would like to help the work of Alpha Omega Institute, please visit our websiteevents pageor ourdonate page. Keep up to date with what AOI is doing. Thanks for your partnership.